ICF SEEK CLARIFICATION ON MERKOV
Merkov, the Bulgarian has been named by the Bulgarian media as among
canoeists who had allegedly tested positive at an event in Bulgaria in
July. The tests were conducted by a laboratory in Sofia that is not
accredited by the International Olympic Committee.
The International Canoeing Federation is seeking clarification from
Bulgaria at the behest of several team leaders in Sydney, including Alan
Williams, the team manager of the British kayak team.
Williams said that nothing could spoil this "great day" but confirmed
that he wanted answers to the Merkov question: "If he's not clean its
definitely not right...I've done what I could and now its in the hands of
the ICF."
The substance that the Bulgarians allegedly tested positive for was a
diuretic. However, the Bulgarian canoeing federation had failed to inform
the ICF. Along with Merkov, Marian Dimitrov was also named by the Bulgarian
media.
The ICF said that it is having difficulty contacting the Bulgarian
rowing federation in Sofia "because the phone is constantly engaged".
However, the Bulgarian Olympic Committee protested that so much fuss had
been made over "one newspaper article". They did not deny the report as far
as the possibility of a "problematic test" was concerned.
No such controversy surrounded the winner, Knut Holmann, who won his second straight gold in the men’s solo 1,000 and fifth Olympic medal, topping the career
total of wrestler Jon Roenningen to become Norway’s Summer
Games leader.
Overall, Europeans won all but three of the 18 medals
awarded for the six finals Saturday. Cuba took a pair of
silvers and Canada a bronze.
Birgit Fischer became kayaking’s all-time leading Olympic medal-winner with nine when she won the women’s four for the second straight time
and third in four Olympics to tie swimmer Kristin Otto and
Reiner Klimke of equestrian for most golds by a German at
six. She can go ahead on Sunday in the women’s two.
Fischer, 38, also extended her own record for the longest
span between golds by a woman. Her first title came 20
years ago in Moscow in the K-1.
"The numbers of medals is simply not that important to
me," Fischer said afterward. “I have another race
tomorrow, so there won’t be much celebrating tonight."
Despite her lack of enthusiasm, Fisher's performances have been astonishing. She has won six golds and three silvers, with gold at every Olympics from Moscow in 1980
to Sydney 20 years later. She only missed out on the Los Angeles Games in
1984.
Italy’s Antonio Rossi, who won golds in both K-2 events in
Atlanta, defended his 1,000-meter title with Beniamino
Bonomi.
Angel Perez, the Cuban native who successfully appealed against a
decision which said that he was ineligible to compete for the United
States, finished sixth in the four-man kayak.
CRAIG LORD
Sunday Times
